Machine translation of the 1948–1954 Italian original. The original text is authoritative.
MAJOR EQUERRY OF HIS HOLINESS. - Belongs to the Papal family, as the second of the secret chamberlains of sword and cape in attendance. His office ceases with the death of the Pope. The prior of the stable is already mentioned in 590. The current title dates back to Benedict XII. The major equerry presided over the Palatine stables, its dependencies and appurtenances, in concert and under the authority of Monsignor Majordomo, having a share, by disposition of the Supreme Pontiffs Leo XII and Gregory XVI (1832), in the administration of the Holy Palace. He directed the stable through a superintendent.
To the major equerry fell the duty of opening and closing the door of the carriage and litter of the Holy Father, as well as presenting him with the horse on the occasion of rides. Now this office, to which no function corresponds, is an honorary title.
Bibl.: G. Moroni, s. V. in Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica, XI, Venezia 1841, pp. 24-30.
Guelielmo Felici
(Art. Felici)
